Is Microsoft Defender for Mac Worth the Hype?

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Introduction to Microsoft Defender for Mac

So Microsoft Defender for Mac has now appeared when you download and install the complete Office 365 package for your Mac. According to some reports, the software has been around since 2019; however, it’s only now been included in the complete build of 365 for Mac download.

The Journey Since 2019

The program would be a simple setup as it is, by default, on a Windows machine. Well, you would be greatly disappointed. The program needs a registered Microsoft individual account to work.

Setting Up: A User’s Perspective

Before you rush off and create a dummy Microsoft account to pair the software to the Mac, the account requires a Microsoft 365 personal or family licence.

Business Users: Pricing and Access

For business users, it’s a challenge too. Having the Business packaged bolt on your work account would be best. 

Prices start at £2.50 + VAT per user. Link to Price here

Activation and Management

So, you’ve gone through the hurdles, ticked all the boxes, and registered the device on your Microsoft 365 account. Next, you will encounter the privacy and security tick box to enable the program to run in the background as a live antivirus for your Mac. This process has been fine-tuned since Apple’s OS decided to lock down the software in System Preferences, or as it is now called in the latest OS versions, System Settings. The Microsoft Defender Shield icon marks itself with a little tick to show it’s live and enabled via privacy and security.

Navigating the Interface

Like most other antivirus programs for Mac, the program is managed from the finder window at the top of your Mac.

There are four options:

1. Live event “no Action needed”
2. Quick Scan “scans the drive for suspect issues.”
3. Protection history “is a list of the scans, any upsets or highlights of the program.”
4. Open Microsoft Defender, “the program where you can manage the software.”

Compared with Other Antivirus Programs

As for its reliability, well, we will need to wait and see. It is fundamental and has limited functions, unlike some paid competition programs like Bitdefender; however, the interface within the managed devices in the Defender online portal is self-explanatory and has a clean layout. As for people adopting Microsoft Defender for their Mac, I doubt it.

The hurdles you must go through to install it on your Mac due to license issues are enough to put people off. If you already pay for your individual or family version of 365, you might adopt it for your Mac. It’s worth testing the software to see how you get on.

Free Alternatives and Cautions

Let’s remember there are several ‘free’ versions of antivirus out there, including Malwarebytes and AVG, to name a few. I would always err on the side of caution with anything free, and antivirus programs are no exception.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Finally, I input Microsoft Defender and what used to be called Windows Defender ‘for Mac’ into ChatGPT, and its response was very entertaining and around 12 months out of date. Oh well.

I am tempted to place its response in this article, but to dangle a carrot and see what results you get, why not input your search and see what results you get?

Enjoy your day, and see you soon for the following Mac announcement.

Link to Defender page here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)